EPL 2015-16 Season

[NJSeahawk]

Been busy all weekend so haven't gotten to actually watch anything, but I saw the highlights of the Liverpool match. Looks like they played well overall, Lucas should have been sent off, and Costa is an actual animal that needs a long ban to think about himself.

Played very good football outside that first 5 minute. Really there they were lulled into a trap by Chelsea after keeping the ball the first 2 minutes... Chelsea won the ball, pushed and scored...then nearly again.

Team is certainly different with Klopp. But more organized in the press and more confident in defending.

Chelsea set up was surprising, and maybe NJ can add a bit more. They sat way off Liverpool (not afraid of the attacking options, I get that) and played the counter. Got them a good start, but I felt like they let Liverpool get comfortable again instead of going at them. Played almost like they were the away team.

Interesting few weeks ahead for both clubs.

And no denying Arsenal at the moment.

honestly...I have no idea what is going on. I am besides myself in trying to explain it. Looks like Roman is going to stick with Jose, which is right move, but it will be interesting to see what happens if we continue to lose. We are so close to relegation zone already! lol...what a fall.

 

[Uncle Si]

I watched the Stoke game alot more objectively than I did the Liverpool game. A few things that stood out..

Chelsea are slow, especially in the back. Their midfield doesn't do a good job protecting that back line and I think teams are now more comfortable either pressing high or sitting back and taking chances on the counter. Unlike years past, where Joses teams could grind you down and put you into 1-2 game holes while sitting in on their own, opponents are producing with either limited numbers (Stoke) or that high press (Liverpool) and not as concerned with the response.

I think you have a few important players off form as well. Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard (although he was strong against Stoke) and even Costa all look shells of the players they were last season.

They'll snap out of it, but I think January will be a window they have to be active in.. just to change the attitude.

 

[Uncle Si]

This season is so weird...

 

[Uncle Si]

This season is so weird...

Amazing performance by the redmen though. City had no chance against FirCouts.

Great performance indeed... City is hard to get a read on.. been battered twice by hard working high press teams.

just thinking that maybe their really isn't any outstanding teams in the EPL this year.

 

[NJSeahawk]

We won a game! 14th place here we come!

 

[Uncle Si]

Congrats?(!!!)

Not a convincing performance though was it? I only read about it. Lots of work but I imagine they will be in the top 8-10 by Christmas. Getting over that will be difficult. What needs to change? Lineup? Tactics? Staff?

Liverpool, on the other hand, have now played away to Stoke, Spurs, Everton, City, Arsenal, United and Chelsea.. and came away with 12 points from that. Quite a daunting fixture list. They are somehow better on the road against that run down then at Anfield against the likes of Palace, West Ham and Norwich.

 

[Hawkspur]

Great news! We're back in 5th, our rightful place!

How about Leicester? Great start by the looks of things. Do they look like they have what it takes to stay at or near the top?

 

[Uncle Si]

Great news! We're back in 5th, our rightful place!

How about Leicester? Great start by the looks of things. Do they look like they have what it takes to stay at or near the top?

So hard to say... they can score, for sure. and look fun doing it. but have conceded quite a bit.

Their next 6 fixtures will set on if they are the real deal:

vs. United
at Swansea
vs. Chelsea
at Everton
at Liverpool
vs. City

Spurs look capable of a top 4 spot though. Playing with confidence and a whole lot of energy. Kane is now a 2 season wonder i guess...

 

[Hawkspur]

Great news! We're back in 5th, our rightful place!

How about Leicester? Great start by the looks of things. Do they look like they have what it takes to stay at or near the top?

So hard to say... they can score, for sure. and look fun doing it. but have conceded quite a bit.

Their next 6 fixtures will set on if they are the real deal:

vs. United
at Swansea
vs. Chelsea
at Everton
at Liverpool
vs. City

Spurs look capable of a top 4 spot though. Playing with confidence and a whole lot of energy. Kane is now a 2 season wonder i guess...

I haven't managed to watch as much Spurs as I would like this season but I have generally liked what I've seen. Dele Alli and Eric Dier have done wonders for our midfield and when I went to the Liverpool game at Lane Mousa Dembele was outstanding. It's a fairly young team so if we can't do it this season there's a good base to build upon.

That Leicester run looks pretty tough, eh.

 

[NJSeahawk]

Congrats?(!!!)

Not a convincing performance though was it? I only read about it. Lots of work but I imagine they will be in the top 8-10 by Christmas. Getting over that will be difficult. What needs to change? Lineup? Tactics? Staff?

Liverpool, on the other hand, have now played away to Stoke, Spurs, Everton, City, Arsenal, United and Chelsea.. and came away with 12 points from that. Quite a daunting fixture list. They are somehow better on the road against that run down then at Anfield against the likes of Palace, West Ham and Norwich.

Si, quite the murderer's row...Pool looks legit though, man...Coutinho and the other kid...what's his name? Portuguese? Brazilian? working well together...they could have more scores on that...just making Hart look silly.

It wasn't a convincing result at all...but I will take it. I say tactics, the players have got to want it, and hopefully be in form. Time will tell.

 

[Uncle Si]

The league is better when Chelsea are menacing. As fun as it has been watching them struggle, it would be nice to see them start beating some teams again. I can't hate them right now...

Deli Alli is going to be a very good player in the Prem for some time. I can see him getting regular full English call ups and possibly being added to the Euro squad.

Liverpool and Spurs are setting records for outrunning their opponents. Ridiculous amounts of energy expended against their opponents. But that's where Liverpool have struggled.. when the other team isn't in a position to be pressed. Palace, West Ham, Norwich, even Everton all sat back on them. They couldn't press high so couldn't transition. This is where Spurs are a bit stronger... Kane solves that problem for them.

Thoughts on standings heading into the New Years? I think we will see atleast 2 of the current top 6 drop out by then

 

[NJSeahawk]

I'm hoping Liverpool can string a wee run together here. With Studge and Benteke coming back into the team, we should have a lot more options against teams that want to sit back and invite us forward. Hoping to see us hovering around the top 4, if not in it by the time the dust settles after the new years Day games. Spurs are legitimately fun to watch this season. Hope they can continue that form.

I expect that Leicester will start to fall away as the talent deficit plays it's part. There have been many teams in the past just like them - Hull, Ipswich, Charlton Athletic to name a few that I can rememeber off the top of my head. United still don't convince me. Hard to get a read on them because just like last year - their best player is between the uprights keeping them in games. Arsenal are just so inconsistent once again this season. Anybody's league at this point, seriously.

anyone but Man Ure. Please.

 

[Uncle Si]

As opposed to Leicester's next 6, Liverpool get an easier set:

vs. Swansea
@ Newcastle
vs. West Brom
@ Watford
vs. Leicester
@Sunderland
@ West Ham...(that's 7)

If they are going to make a run... this would be the glut of games to go after points. They host Arsenal and United back to back after. Those matches could be positioning for top 4... or just Liverpool trying to scrape credibility and a Europa spot.

Spurs have a nice little set coming up as well, starting with Chelsea at the Lane this weekend. Both Spurs and Liverpool could be top 4 by New Years.

Anyways... i'm thoroughly enjoying this season so far. Didn't watch nearly as much football last year. There is so much going on in the early going that the drama has been fairly intriguing.

 

[Blueboy]

Went to Palace today, have to say Newcastle are a dire team, the players play like they don't want to be there, no stomach for a fight at all. As it stands I think they and Villa are doomed.

 

[retro74]

I think McLaren has gone in there and asked them to put more effort in. They've not liked it one bit and have given up on him, they are trying to get him sacked now

He may come across as an oddball but he's an incredibly meticulous coach and won't accept passengers

 

[Blueboy]

I think McLaren has gone in there and asked them to put more effort in. They've not liked it one bit and have given up on him, they are trying to get him sacked now

He may come across as an oddball but he's an incredibly meticulous coach and won't accept passengers

Agree, I rate McLaren as a manager. Ashley has a decision to make - trust the players znd bring in another shite manager, or put his faith in McLaren and have a clear-out. Newcastle are still a massive club in my eyes, no reason they should be scrounging around like they are.

All of that being said, Palace are really playing well, they've been a formidable PL team for a while now, credit to them.

I kinda disagree about McLaren, I think he is a top class coach, many have said that but I don't think he's a good manager. If you remember he had what was the golden generation of English football and he couldn't even get them qualified for the Euros.

As for Palace they are playing some good stuff but still a bit hit and miss. Connor Wickham had a strong game yesterday but I still feel they need a younger CB to partner Scott Dann and possibly a GK as none we have are the greatest albeit they are decent.
Most underrated player at Palace is Pape Souare the LB, quick, strong and is probably the best crosser of the ball at the club.

 

[Smurf]

Gary Neville has been named Manager of Valencia until the end of the season.

 

[Uncle Si]

Gary Neville has been named Manager of Valencia until the end of the season.

Phil Neville as assistant.

The mind boggles... Valencia have a solid lineup and CL football. I actually like Gary and wish him well, even if he is a Manc. Will miss him and Carra doing MNF though.

 

[Uncle Si]

I'm telling you peaches....it's been a fun four weeks.

 

[Uncle Si]

What a weird season.

Win over Newcastle and it's truly on....